Light and Darkness

Opening his eyes to the sight of the waking sun, Sheldon arose from his deep slumber. Standing up, he stretched with great force, gave himself a glance in the mirror... and immediately shuddered.

"How did my hair get so damn long?!"

A wide grin found its way to his face.

Portrayed in his reflection stood a cute young man -- a flower-boy to be exact. His dark hair flowed down to his neck. He had seemingly healthy skin, light brown eyes and, overall, looked amazing. Attractive eyes and a pretty face made him look like an angel from heaven. His looks were still the average type in Maryland.

... And yet, he was still so damn attractive! It was hard to believe that it was Sheldon behind the reflection.

After giving himself a glance, Sheldon made his way to his hot spring for a cleaning soak. He had to save 3 years' worth of selling food, antiques, ornaments and various objects he could assign a value just to buy a hot spring. Slowly soaking himself in the hot spring, he felt relaxed.

After all, he wasn't able to enjoy this bliss for the past eight months. Drifting in the Dark Sea didn't seem as paradise anymore.

He then decided to compare his face to his body.

'Where'd my dangerously thin physique go?!'

His body, while not as good as his face, was quite impressive. Although it wasn't the best it could've been, it was still nice. His muscles weren't too big neither were they too small. His V-shaped body was the perfect size for someone as cute as he was, though he was still average in Maryland.

With the malnourished physique he had prior to his entry into the azure-leaf forest, he could barely fight for himself. Yet, he persevered in the outskirts of Plagued Stone and came out unscathed, now living in the Almydia Sentinel. He earned his own home and has a great view of the most prosperous division of the City County.

In fact, he was able to make enough money to pay his rental fees each month.

'Wait... what?'

Because of his fatal mistake of not publicly announcing his recent trip to a Time Rift, the society of Plagued Stone presumed that he was meandering about, looking for something to steal. This means that hen Sheldon had accumulated himself a bill worth eight months, and in a few days, nine! He seriously messed up. Without enough time to reciprocate from the effects of his recent Time Rift, he wouldn't be able to mentally survive his second Time Rift.

Well... who cares?

He would only be evicted from his house if rent wasn't paid in ten months, according to Maryland's abnormal law.

After the luxurious soak, Sheldon arose from it, wore a light tunic and sat on his bed.

It was time to check out his new Mana Key.

As if answering his thoughts, the Song resounded:

[Crimson Forest]

Description:[Slowly decaying into the wither that is the darkness, a shadow will rest with the dead.]

Belongings:[Nightmare Blade][Daemon's Shadow]

Inhabitants:[2 Unknown Conjured Illusions][Lei Impromptu]

Needing information on his new Mana Key, Sheldon chanted:

"Elder Ones, what is the Daemon's Shadow?"

[Daemon's Shadow]

Power Level:[Semi-elite Grade]

'Se-se... Se-Semi-elite Grade?!'

This... was amazing! He, Sheldon Akashova, a weak, aspiring teenager, really earned a Semi-elite Grade Mana Key. Considering how power progressed, this was an incredible feat.

To put it into perspective, power progressed in the core of an Affiliant in quite a simple manner. The weakest power level is Grade 5, then ascending to 4, 3, 2 and then 1. And from Grade 1, we go to Semi-special Grade to Special and finally, from Semi-elite to Elite Grade. Anything beyond Elite is considered divine; the Song labels it as Celestial.

The same system applies to Conjured Illusions.

Armed with the initial knowledge of his Mana Key's power, Sheldon continued to read:

Rank:[I]

'A Rank I Semi-Elite?!'

Type:[Armor]

"Even better!" he exclaimed.

Having protection from fatal attacks is a Time Hunter's basic need. Not only will it increase one's social affairs, if utilized properly, it could even make one a great deal of money.

He continued reading.

Description:[Long ago stood a dying land known as the Apostle's Remark. On it, a piece of armor, with the help of Gemini, was forged. After the Fall of the Apostle's Remark, the ebony armor caught the attention of the treacherous Lei Impromptu. Corrupting it, he made it his shadow. Dying to Ophiuchus's blade, the great responsibility of bearing the Daemon's Shadow landed in the hands of the young, weak Sheldon.]

Sheldon sighed.

'I'm still weak, huh...'

After taking off his tunic, he walked forward to his mirror, summoning the Daemon's Shadow. He grinned slightly.

The soft fabric of the Daemon's Shadow tore itself to life.

A black shirt and dark trousers appeared on Sheldon's body. On his waist was a belt.

'That's it?'

Almost immediately after he thought of that question, a coat began to bring itself to life. Life the other part of his armor that somewhat resembled a suit, it was black. On his shoulders were metal pauldrons, black too. Covering the visible parts of is shirt were plates of metal. Attached to his belt was a large bow made of beads.

He looked undeniably good.

Not only did the Daemon's Shadow offer him an abundance of protection, it was comfortable to wear. And because of Sheldon's affinity to shadows, that he was 'cursed' with, he could practically be invisible in the dark.

He dismissed his newly acquired armor.

Now, it was time to learn how to use his melody.

To do this, he needed the help of an old acquaintance.

And this acquaintance, in particular, just happened to be of a high calibre...

...Royalty, to be exact.